Suggestions for short visit to Newport Beach
 

Help me decide whether to go on this proposed trip in July:

My daughter is going to be in a wedding on a cruise ship near Newport Beach on July 8. We are invited to come along if we want to. It would probably be a short trip (maybe four nights.)

I'm looking for suggestions on some interesting things to do in the area. We like driving/walking on the coast, offbeat sites, non-mall shopping and non-chain restaurants. Not interested in sports. We would have a car.

Thanks in advance. California Fodorites are awesome.

Here are a couple of restaurant recommendations, should you decide to go.

Lunch: The Crab Cooker <http://www.crabcooker.com/>, in Newport Beach. A local institution. Very moderately priced and hugely popular. No reservations taken. I advise against going here for dinner because of the long wait times.

Dinner: The Pleasant Pheasant <http://www.thepleasantpeasant.com/>. Still off the radar for most tourists, but a long-time favorite of mine. Be careful about the driving directions - it is tricky to find, even with a good map. Allow extra driving time.

Newport Beach is a very ritzy oceanside community with lots to do and lots around it. Let's see:

-- The big shopping is at Fashion Island, an open-air mall in Newport Center (business park, home of Pacific Life and PIMCo). However, the Corona del Mar section of NB is your strolling area of little shops and Ladies Who Lunch eateries. Coast Highway runs through, so it's got lots of traffic. Oh, and Balboa Island is a fun place to walk and relax.

-- Laguna Beach is just down Coast Highway. For a once-in-a-lifetime thing to do, check out the Pageant of the Masters (tableaux vivants):

http://www.foapom.com/site/overview_pom.asp

And when I say "check out", I mean NOW. Good tickets sell out almost immediately.

Laguna itself is historically an artist's community, and downtown (around Main Beach) is full of great art galleries, little museums, and wonderful restaurants.

-- How about hitting the historic Misión San Juan Capistrano, another little jaunt down Coast Highway? And San Clemente's a little farther south and very charming as well.

There's a lot to do in the area (and I'm leaving out obvious touristy things like the Queen Mary up in my hometown, or fun diversions like Old Towne Orange, one of the best antique-shopping towns in the US). Any other specific interests?

Great information, Orlando Vic and rjw lgb ca -- sounds like we could find plenty to do in a few days.

Orlando, the Crab Cooker looks soooo good. Wow, those crab legs....mmmm. I love going to these local places. If you have any other suggestion, bring 'em on.

rjw, I still cannot imagine what the Pageant of the Masters is like, even after looking at the website. Do you think it's worth seeing if you don't have primo seats?

You've offered some great suggestions (we've done the Queen Mary.) We would also be interested in anything with a hippie or surfer vibe.

Here is one more of my favorites.

If you like good Mexican food, my favorite is Avilas El Ranchito <http://www.avilaselranchito.net/> in nearby Costa Mesa. Please note that this is not part of a corporate chain of restaurants, but all are family-run and operated (38+ years). They have several restaurants, but the Costa Mesa one is the one I keep coming back to. I like it much better than the Newport Beach location and it's only a few miles away.

For the surfer/hippie vibe, there's always Huntington Beach just up the coast.

The PotM is a unique celebration of the visual arts: Live re-creations of famous art works set to original, live music. It sounds dull and precious, but it's magical to experience. One year the theme was Cubism, and they managed a faithful execution of this (for those who don't want to click, it's Picasso's "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon"):

http://www.moma.org/collection/brows...bject_id=79766

The better the seats, the better the view.

There is a stunning eatery in south Laguna: Studio, the main dining room at the Montage Resort & Spa. Expensive, but the food is incredible. Splashes at the Surf & Sand (also in Laguna) has great views and very good food as well.

This is looking better and better. Definitely great food options.
The Pageant does sound totally different. According to its website, the season opens the weekend we would be there. I assumee it will sell out fast.

Huntington Beach looks really interesting and like something we would enjoy. I noticed they have a big Independence Day parade.

I have always wanted to go to Catalina Island. Any comments/tips on doing that, i.e. how long to allow, what boat service to take, what not to miss?

Also, what are the closest airport options? I liked John Wayne when I was in the area three years ago. Is it the closest?

John Wayne is definitely the closest airport. 15 minutes to NB.

Nobody mentioned Las Brisas in Laguna Beach. Super Mx food with one of the best coastal vistas at night in North America.

Balboa Island is worth a couple hours of window shopping and walking. Charming cottages and a nice couple block shopping district.

Oysters on PCH just S of Jamboree is a super food destination with an enjoyable jazz combo most nights.

You'll love these few days. Wonderful destination with great activities.

Airports: John Wayne aka Orange County aka SNA is absolutely the closest option (about eight miles to downtown Newport Beach). The next-best option is Long Beach aka LGB, depending on where you're coming from (a small but growing number of cities have nonstop service to LGB, including Chicago/O'Hare via JetBlue); it's about 23 miles from downtown Newport Beach. Very limited onsite facilities, but the major car rentals have operations there as do the major shuttle services.

Catalina Express runs ferries from Dana Point (about 35 minutes south of Newport), Long Beach (about 35 minutes north of Newport) and San Pedro (about 50 minutes north of Newport). I'd take an early ferry and plan a fairly full day, coming back late afternoon-early evening (6 PM-ish). There are bus tours, rental bikes, horseback guided tours, you name it. You could just stroll around Avalon and take in the little shops and the beautiful scenery. To start you off:

http://www.catalinaexpress.com/

Huntington Beach is fun. It's also a zoo during summer, so expect traffic snarls going up Coast Highway, especially around Huntington Beach Pier.

Las Brisas, for locals, comes under the umbrella of either "Guilty Pleasure" or "Somewhere to Take Out-of-town Visitors for Mexican Food and Drinks and a View". There are far better Mexican eateries in the area (although for truly outstanding Mexican you have to go up into LA County or down into San Diego County), but the view is outstanding.

Just sayin'....

jayne, you can see the Dory Fleet in the morning on newport beach.....

http://www.doryfleet.com/

You can buy seafood from the fishing boats.

Next time I go to the Crab Cooker I need to tell them not to smash the fish together with the rice! The rice got stuck to the fish the last few times I went there. Talk about picky, eh!

Just "being" in Newport Beach is a great feeling.

Of course you want to visit Surf City a few miles up the coast.

Walk around on the piers and hang out at Balboa Fun Zone for awhile.

You guys are awesome.

Regarding Mexican food, being from Texas we are addicted to Tex-Mex and will probably be seeking fresh seafood -- something we rarely get at home. (I won't even complain about the rice at Crab Cooker!) It would be fun to see the Dory Fleet boats. Is the market all seafood?

What are your opinions on Catalina? Just curious because it could be a little pricey if we end up taking a couple of extra people with us...

Also, any suggestions for reasonable (less than $100) non-chain lodgings in any of these towns?

Tex-Mex is not the style found in the best Mexican eateries in southern California. The more interesting cooking styles of Baja California, Oaxaca and Jalisco, as well as New Mexico and that fusion cuisine known as Southwestern, are more prevalent. Combine that with the superior produce available year-round here, and you'll find Mexican food here to be quite different from the offerings you get at home, although some Tex-Mex items sneak onto menus all the time.

Fresh seafood? Southern CA is Sushi Heaven, if you're so inclined (I'm not, other than those gorgeous buttery slabs of sashimi-grade ahi you find at the better sushi joints). There are two OC seafood specialists worth a trip up the coast from Newport Beach: Walt's Wharf in Seal Beach and the Original Fish Company in Los Alamitos.

Catalina? Gorgeous. It's a nice break from the mainland, and something you should experience at least once in your life. For a short trip, however, it might not be worth squeezing in this time.

Now we come to The Problem. $100 a night for good non-chain lodging is a VERY challenging price point in coastal California in general. Newport is notably pricey.

I can think of a possibility in Laguna Beach: The Laguna Riviera is a glorified motel, but it's on Coast Highway on the ocean side, has a reputation as spotlessly clean and reasonably comfortable, it's just south of downtown Laguna and all the fun therein, and it's pretty cheap. Another property I know of is Casa del Camino, also in Laguna-- but other Fodor's posters who have stayed there were not thrilled.

This is going to require some thinking.

We love to go to the Sundried Tomato Cafe in Laguana before we go to the Pageant of Masters. http://www.thesundriedtomatocafe.com/
We like the food and it is walking distance to the Pageant and there is a parking structure nearby.

In Corona Del Mar, we love Bandar. Its located on Pacific Highway near MacArthur Blvd. Its a family favorite and we love the roasted chicken.

Shopping in Laguna is great, go on Pacific Highway a little past the maindrag (Forest Street I think?) and you will find my favorite shop Cottage Furnishings.

Also between Corona and Laguana is a shopping center on Pacific Highway near Marriots Newport Coast Villa. I don't know the name but it has a shop called Urban Gardener which I love.

As far as hotels, a best western etc. would be your best best for that time of year. If you don't want to go over $100 then you will have to stay inland (near South Coast Plaza or 5 freeway) or try Priceline.

We were in NB a few weekends ago visiting some friends. Their youngest son who has made a good living distributing surf accessories took us to this place for breakfast. ~o)

http://cappyscafe.com/index.htm

We humored him and fought through the crowd both inside and out as well as struggled for parking spots. It’s definitely off-beat.

The real “old-fashioned” feel for NB and a great breakfast made it worthwhile. Check out the review. You may not run into the celebrities mentioned but you will see plenty of surfer types and slim bodies which besides the food is all the glamour we saw.

definitely do the pageant of the masters!! i haven't yet been, but it's hugely popular w/ locals and acclaimed as a great arts event! you'll have my envy if you get to go ;) we live in LA proper and don't manage to get down to OC much.

There are El Ranchito branches in Corona del Mar and on the Balboa Peninsula. Balboa Island is a fun destination for shopping and wandering. Someone suggested Bandera; it has great chicken and is sort of a pickup scene at the bar, and it as at PCH at Marguarite. I think the restaurant at PCH and MacArthur earlier poster was thinking about is Gulfstream, also very nice. Nearby is Sprinkles, where us locals line up for gooey and overpriced cupcakes.

There is a Laguna restaurant called Xavier's that people love; it is closing in Laguna and opening in the shopping center across from Crystal Cove State Beach. Also nearby is the Shake Shack, where you can get a milkshake and enjoy the view of the ocean.

Laguna is a lot of fun to explore, and while you're in Orange County it might be worth the trip to the Nixon Library and birthplace. I'm a fan of visiting presidential libraries, and it's a nice one with a gorgeous garden.

In terms of lodging, yikes. That time of year is very pricey. You might want to look at beach rentals for the week, or perhaps the Balboa Bay Club. Another idea is to look into the cabins at Crystal Cove. They rent six months in advance and it's a shot in the dark, but check out this website to see if you can manage a July rental. www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=644

Ruby's hamburger chain just opened a nicer restaurant at the beach that I've heard is a lot of fun. I believe it is called Beachcombers.

Sort of rambling here, but I hope it helps.

I just tried the link I posted and it didn't work. But you can find it if you look for the California State Park website, under Crystal Cove, and then cabin rentals.

Pageant of the Masters:
I always buy tickets later than sooner. Good seats are taken by members during presale. And a good seat is the key. Check out Craig's list http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/ a few days before the show. For additional $5, you would get a good seat that you would otherwise not get.

Restaraunts:
- Las Brisa sells the view more than the food (although the food is decent). The best deal is Saturday breakfast buffet for $10.
- sfamylow mentioned a popular Mex restaurant. The correct spelling is Javier's http://www.javiers-cantina.com/location.htm. It is easier to go to the Irvine location - shorter wait and easy to park. (Irvine neighbors on Newport and Laguna Beach.) Parking in Laguna in summer is a pain...
- Balboa has quite a few nice restaurants. Find one by the water, and make sure you take the ferry between the peninsula and the island (night is better - the lights are on).

Other activities:
Catalina is overrated. I highly recommend Channel Islands if you don't mind driving. http://www.nps.gov/chis/. You can join a tour http://www.islandpackers.com/. It is a little more than an hour drive. But absolutely worth it! If you fly into LAX instead of SNA, I'd recommend you doing that on your 1st day or last day. LAX is in the between Newport and Oxnard where the cruise starts.
Another locals favorite place is OC Performing Arts Center. http://www.ocpac.org/. It offers at least 2 things: good shows, and how a rich life can be.
If you are really into offbeat sites, follow an open house sign from PCH to check out how the locals live. :-)

My final suggestion: figure out the excursions and shows before dining and shopping because good restaraunts and shops are allover S.OC.

Enjoy!

I love Newport Beach. Also agree with all the suggestions especially the Crab Cooker. Last time we were in the area we stayed in Long Beach at an interesting place, it is called Dockside Boat and Bed. You stay on a yacht, it was really fun and an awesome break for a hotel! If you are going with another couple and can split the cost it may fall within your price range, and if you decide to go to Catalina you can catch the ferry there. www.boatandbed.com

Incredible stuff! I am going to do some research and post back with more questions. Thanks again, everyone!

OK, another quick question...
My daughter will be staying two nights at a hotel in Irvine. How long of a drive is that to the beach towns (Newport, Laguna, Huntington)?

This is all relative to the time of day, particularly the flow of 405 freeway traffic at AM or PM rush hours. I would estimate non-peak driving time of 20-30 minutes to Newport Beach to as much as 30-40 minutes to coastal H.B.

Thanks, Orlando Vic. Now I'm on to researching Catalina and whether to spend one night there...

Has anyone stayed at the Hotel St. Lauren?

Or, has anyone stayed anywhere on Catalina Island, and if so, how expensive was it?

It might be worth a new post asking about Catalina specifically.

Irvine is the best choice if you want to visit all 3 beach cities. Depends on where in Irvine, the drive could be 5min to Newport Beach or Laguna Beach - in the peak of tourist season.

So what is your research result about Catalina? Locals go there as a quick weekend getaway, typically either sleep on a boat or camp out. For a tourist, there are SO many better places to visit than Catalina. It is overrated. I will say no more about Catalina. I will let you figure out if it is worth the $$.

I have to put in my two cents worth on Catalina: I agree wholeheartedly with the poster who said it is over-rated. Don't waste your time. But the Pageant of the Masters is a MUST!!!! It's in a very small venue called the Irvine Bowl on Laguna Cyn Road and all the seats are good. I go every year and even if I have close up seats I always bring binoculars anyway. Plan to eat in Laguna first and walk over. I think it begins at 8:30. Don't miss it! You won't see anything like it anywhere else.....a real treasure.

Not sure if you're much of a chocoholic, but if so, you must go to a Sees Candy (www.seescandy.com) while in OC. There's one right off of Pacific Coast Highway in Corona Del Mar.

Also, if you want to go inland a bit, there's an amazing new chocolate/crepe cafe in Laguna Niguel called Downeys Chocolate Cafe www.mychocolatefix.com/

Laguna Beach and Balboa Island for non-chain shopping and Corona del Mar (or window shopping). South Coast Plaza and Fashion Island (best mall shopping). Pagaent of the Masters is a 'must do' no matter what. Catalina is worth a day trip and can be done in a day -- take ferry there in a.m. and return in p.m. and you'd be able to see pretty much everything. Forget about Huntington Beach; lots of great non-chain restaurants in Laguna Beach and you'd find them just by walking around. Hotels for $100 or less will be a challenge. Or since weather will be great -- just hang out on the beach in Laguna or Newport and relax!

Thanks so much. This is just what I need.

I think Catalina is more of a fantasy than anything. But if we go we'll definitely just go for the day.

I can stay in Irvine for $89 a night at the wedding hotel (don't know what that is.) Maybe that's the best option even though I'd rather be on the beach.

Do you think there's a chance to getting tickets to POM if I wait till later? (It's opening weekend.)

Yes, love love love chocolate. The Downey's looks pretty good!

Why forget Huntington? It's Surf City!

Thanks again everyone and Happy Friday!

POM:
There are always people selling tickets by the gate. BTW inside POM, there is a nice restaurant, a bar and a snack place. Sounds like you are short on time - too many activities in 4 days.

Huntington Beach:
Depends on what you want to see. You seem to be a mom who remains young and hip, doesn't mind hanging out at a somewhat chaotic place. Very cool! Go ahead. It would be fun to discover the difference between S.OC and N.OC on your own. :-)

I really don't understand that comment about HB either. The Hyatt Regency HB is a good hotel but in July probably way more than $89. It's across the Hwy by a pedestrian bridge from the beach.

July is often "June gloom" time on the coast so maybe an inland hotel isn't that big a deal.

PS Last time I was on Balboa (Newport) there was a police incident with guns drawn so we don't need to get into generalizations about NOC and SOC.

Well, everything sounds great, and I do want to see all three towns and probably Catalina if we can swing it. The wedding is on a yacht in Newport Beach, which should be fun.

The Irvine hotels (both on Main Street) are Courtyard Marriott and Marriott Residence Inn, which is a little more expensive. Any comments on either?

The Hyatt Regency in HB is WAY more than $89/nt. Some would rank it within the top five resort hotels in OC easily.

Now, that said, HB will be bustling in July, but with really cool stuff (not artsy cool but cool nonetheless). There will definitely be very competetive beach volleyball to be watched from the pier, possibly musicians jamming on the plaza steps. Some weekends tons of people come with their various percussion instruments and just improv jam together all day on the steps adjacent to the pier. There is also a midweek (Friday I think) mini flea market that pops up right on the boardwalk with cool stuff. The two main surf stores will have racks of discount clothing/apparel outside in front of their respective storefronts. A good chance to get cool/trendy things for only a minor fortune rather than the bags of money they normally retail for. The restaurants and bars are a good mix of quality small chain and one-of-a-kind establishments that line Main street. The locals are out side-by-side with the tourists eating, drinking and being festive on the balconies of the 2 story establishments people watching from above (think french quarter but laid back beach style). The beautiful people are everywhere, but not in an "admire my body" kind of way, they are just there enjoying the HB vibe on a sunny Summer day. And the best thing is the HB "scene" is in a pretty compact area (though HB is a pretty large city) and can be enjoyed in as little as one day if time were a factor.

For the retail shopping that is one-of-a-kind, I would agree that Balboa Island and Corona Del Mar are the spots. CDM is a simple one street town (PCH highway 1), and Balboa Island is reachable from PCH by making a quick turn toward the beach at Jamboree Road. A little further South down PCH from Jamboree turning inland will take you to Fashion Island. There are mostly high-end chain stores and shops at this outdoor mall, but this is where the old Newport Beach money shops. Its Rodeo Drive without the pretention, ugly surroundings or streets to cross.

For sheer size and a comparable level of opulance mixed in with everyday mall findings, South Coast Plaza should at least be something you check out. Its pretty impressive.

Doing all of these things will force you to experience the beautiful coastal drives you mentioned wanting to have. In fact, as you pass through Corona Del Mar on your way to Laguna Beach, you will pass my favorite "view from the car" in all of coastal orange county: Crystal Cove State Beach. It sits just opposite the recently flourishing Newport Coast community, which has now descended from the hills that separate the coast from Irvine and is beginning to sprawl down toward the coast. Its a bit tragic, but the homes are beautiful (think of the skyline from the home used for the TV show "The OC" and that is Newport Coast). The retail area at the foot of the hills directly on the landside of PCH has what may very well be the best (and most expensive) seafood dining experience around: Mastro's Ocean Club. This is the second or third offering from Mastro who also operates a steak house in Costa Mesa, and began his Ocean Club seafood endeavor in Scottsdale, Arizona, the birth place of a growing number of innovative eatery ideas that are being taken on the road to So Cal and other metropolitan areas.

Speaking of eating (and this is my favorite subject), here would be some places I would definitely recommend:

Sunset Beach:

Harpoon Harry's on PCH (great seafood)

Huntington Beach:

Fred's Cafe is excellent (if not slightly Americanized) Baja style Mexican food, and sits in the choicest spot on the corner of Main and PCH across from the pier. My fave spot to chill, have a few drinks and watch the people and the beautiful HB shoreline.

Newport Beach

In northern NB, there is the Cannery on Balboa Peninsula (not to be confused with Balboa Island). Great continental cuisine with a selection of some truly amazing seafood dishes, with some view of the bay.

Another continental cuisine favorite of mine with "on the boardwalk" marina views is the relatively quaint Camelot Restaurant. Caelot is also on Balboa Peninsula in the Lido Island district. I cannot recommend the filet mignon or sea bass highly enough.

A touch farther South on PCH from the Balboa Peninsula turn-off is Restaurant Row. There are a number of choices both on the marina side and inland side of PCH. Some change names quite often attempting to keep with the trendy crowds, but there are some longstanding local favorites as well. Arches is small and unassuming, but is an historical staple of Newport. You will find the clientele and ambiance take you back to a different time, but the wine and food selection keep the Arches delivering on its well-earned reputation.

For a considerably younger, festive spot that sits right on the Marina, there is Joe's Crab Shack. Depending on your preferred atmosphere, this may be a better choice than the Crab Cooker, which is geared to a much less colorful, more subdued family dining experience.

Corona Del Mar

Caffe Panini is a healthy, tasty spot with espresso bar, salad bar and excellent sandwhich choices. This one is on PCH, but there is another (the flagship) a couple blocks from John Wayne Airport as well.

Bamboo Bistro is an excellent choice for Thai food, a favorite of locals and periodic visitors as well. Also on PCH.

Banderas is a trendy spot right on PCH. The kind of place corporate hotshots young and old meet to network over drinks. Almond wood mesquite cooked seafood is their specialty, but all the dishes here live up to the buzz.

If the Arches is the crown jewel of the Newport premium restaurants, then Five Crowns is Corona Del Mar's pick for that honor. Long known as a place where discerning diners not easily impresed by high priced snazzy joints go to enjoy an exquisite meal worth every penny. Continental cuisine.

Laguna Beach

Its been mentioned, but Las Brisas is on the list simply because it has a better than decent food offering and hand's down the best location atop the cliffs above Main Beach, which is always teeming with activity, with a view not easily equaled.

Across the street on the inland side are two places definitely worth noting. The Cottage is a continental cuisine spot that serves up excellent food in a truly charming converted cottage overlooking PCH. Two or three buildings to the North is Madison Square Garden Cafe. Limited operating hours, but you will enjoy a very tasty breakfast or lunch (limited menu) in a relaxing tree-shaded garden patio. I'm getting relaxed just picturing being there while writing this.

South Laguna - Cedar Creek Grill. This is one of three orange county locations for this family-owned restaurant. Diverse menu filled with absolutely delicious offerings, in a very pleasant dining atmosphere. The other locations are San Juan Capistrano (near the mission) and Aliso Viejo/Laguna Hills border (you probably won't ever have reason to be in that neck of the woods though).

Some other notable eateries not necessarily on the coast:

Javier's Mexican Cantina at the Irvine Spectrum (easy to find entertainment complex in south Irvine). This is really good Mexican food, but the venue is the big seller here. A truly impressive visual frame in any direction you look. Depending on how crowded it is (and it can get packed on a Friday or Saturday night), it can be one of those places you just like to be in.

Lazy Dog Cafe in Huntington Beach (inland). This is a new restaurant idea from the family that owns a well-loved chain called "Mimi's Cafe" (a country french atmosphere and ameri-french casual faire. This gets my vote for best new restaurant in Orange County. A varied menu for all tastes, and I have loved everything I have tried. The atmosphere is a mix of contemporary feng shuei and midwest country cabin. The restaurant is anchored to a gigantic fireplace and hearth that opens to both the inside and outside patio.

In various locations throughout Orange County you will find a family-owned chain that is hugely popular: The Claim Jumper. This is a California Goldrush themed atmosphere restaurant chain that serves exceedingly sizeable portions of notably good food. Menu is varied to suit all tastes. This is pretty much garuanteed to be a crowd-pleasing choice for lunch or dinner.

If you make your way to the Disneyland Resort, I would recommend one of two places to eat in the Downtown Disney shopping/eating area. For a far-out jungle safari experience, eat at the Rainforest Cafe. This comes complete with waterfalls, animatronic animals, ancient amazon ruins, and a pretty good selection of traditional faire with interesting twists. The other place I enjoy is Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen. This is New Orleans style creole and soul food cooking. The Venue is a classic 2 story french quarter style mansion with a central courtyard and balcony dining to people watch and listen to the live musicisans on the walkway below.

Finally, if they do not have them where you live, you must stop for a quick burger from an "In-N-Out Burger". This is a family-owned chain that is a favorite throughout the California/Nevada/Arizona region of the Western US. People always ask, what could be so special about a burger joint. But they are rarely disappointed after finishing off their first Double-Double.

This list covers only a small number of Orange County areas, and only a handful of choices available within those areas. Needless to say, there are countless places throughout Orange County to enjoy a great meal. But this list represents some of my favorite haunts. I am more of a Coastal OC guy, so I don't have any recommendations for the inland Orange County cities (like Buena Park, Anaheim Hills, Yorba Linda, Orange). But I gather from your posts that you will be spending most of your time along the coast anyway.

Have a great time!

I agree with Vic's suggestion of Laguna Beach. Go to Las Brisas for lunch or dinner. Hopefully on a day you can see Santa Catalina island.

More great information -- thanks again. Gottaknowmehb, that's a neat rundown of highlights and places to eat. I certainly have some delimmas regarding food, don't I?

Huntington Beach sounds like a lot of fun. I hope we can be there on Friday for the street vendors.

Is there a market or art fair near the POM?

bookmarking

We love the Crab Cooker, too, and we go there anytime we're in the vicinity. I wouldn't call it 'subdued' by any means, though. It's fairly hectic, actually.

Great grilled lobster tails that are actually affordable. We get there early for dinner, and to find parking behind the place. Walk out on the pier after dinner. Go to Balboa Island before dinner.
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